Hailey Van Lith will have abundant opportunities to make a positive impression on basketball fans over the next month, beginning with the women's college basketball star's participation in WNBA All-Star weekend festivities.
Van Lith , who transferred from LSU to TCU this summer, is part of Team USA's Olympic squad for 3x3 women's basketball. As a result, she's also expected to play in the 3x3 format against the Under-23 national team at WNBA All-Star weekend.
The Team USA guard has performed at a high level in 3x3 basketball for many years, winning gold medals at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup, 2018 Youth Olympic Games and 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup. She'll hope that experience will lead to on-court excellence that draws the attention of WNBA scouts after seeing her draft stock plummet at the 2024 NCAA Tournament .
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Below, Mirror Sports U.S. examines the latest happenings in Van Lith's career and where she wants to end up...
Why did Hailey Van Lith transfer to TCU?
Van Lith left LSU after just one season in Baton Rouge. She never found an optimal role under Kim Mulkey , who asked the 22-year-old to be more point guard than shooting guard because of how the Tigers constructed their roster. That request minimized Van Lith's best qualities while accentuating some of her playmaking shortcomings. Her confidence seemed to unravel at the NCAA Tournament .
Still, Van Lith by all accounts got along fine with LSU staff and teammates personally. Mulkey wished her good luck after she entered the transfer portal in search of a better fit.
“Her aspirations were to get drafted this year,” Mulkey told a crowd at an end-of-season banquet. "And she realized, ‘I need another year, and I need to go back to a place where I can relax and get back to my normal position.’ And what do you do? You hug her, and you wish her well.”
Does Hailey Van Lith have a WNBA future?
As Mulkey mentioned, Van Lith's goal has always been to break into the WNBA. However, her subpar production in the 2023-24 NCAA campaign didn't convince WNBA front offices she could make the jump this year.
After transferring to TCU, which hopes to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Van Lith will try to rebuild her draft stock. A strong 3x3 performance as a guest at WNBA All-Star weekend and an impressive Olympics would give her a head start.
Olympic spotlight a huge opportunity for Hailey Van Lith
Because Van Lith starred with Team USA in 3x3 action throughout her youth career, the Stars and Stripes invited her to the squad for the 2024 Olympics, even though she is still an NCAA athlete. The honor left her visibly emotional.
"So proud of this girl! The tears show it all," wrote former LSU teammate Angel Reese after a video of Van Lith accepting the invite emerged . "Pray God continues to bless you with all you deserve!!"
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